Crater Lake

We left Crescent City, CA this morning and drove to Crater Lake in Oregon.  We were surprised to drive into a snow storm as we approached the higher elevations of Crater Lake.  This area receives an average of 44 feet of snow each year.  The snow mounds along the highway were very high and it felt as if we were driving through a tunnel. 
We stopped at the visitor's center and then went on to the Rim Village.  We had lunch at the cafe and stopped into the gift shop.  We then drove to the Crater Lake Lodge.  This historic 71-room lodge originally opened in 1915 and is located on the edge of the caldera overlooking Crater Lake.

We had received information regarding a couple of snowshoe trails from the ranger at the visitor's center.  So, we decided to take a hike.  We drove to the location on the West Rim Drive where the roadway is closed for the winter and began our hike.  It snowed the entire time during our hike and it was quite beautiful.  We were disappointed to not be able to actually see Crater Lake due to the falling snow and fog.  Just as we got back to our car, the snow stopped and the fog lifted.  We climbed up the snowbank and looked out onto the beautiful Crater Lake.  We learned that the lake was formed as a result of a volcanic eruption leaving a collapsed crater which eventually filled with water from the snow melt.  It is the deepest lake in the United States. 

We left Crater Lake and then drove to Portland where we are spending the evening.  It was another great day.

Pictures can be found at: https://picasaweb.google.com/tschick62/201161CraterLake?authkey=Gv1sRgCJizoJjRyf7SFA&feat=directlink

More later . . .